La Liga leaders Barcelona are all set to host high-flying Real Betis, who have won each of their last six league games.
Barcelona will be looking for their eighth straight win across competitions when they welcome sixth-placed Real Betis to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday evening.
The home team are on top of the table with 66 points in their 29 outings. They are just three points ahead of defending champions Real Madrid and cannot afford to drop points as we gear for the final few fixtures of the season.
The Blaugrana are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey. Having booked their place in the final of the cup competition, they will be confident of getting the desired result against Betis.
A run of six straight wins in La Liga have seen visitors Real Betis climb up to sixth. They have 47 points in their 29 outings and are six points behind fourth-placed Athletic Club. The Andalusian outfit’s priority will be to finish within the top six, but they will certainly be eyeing a top-four slot, given their current form.
Real Betis are heading into this fixture against Barcelona on the back of a 2-1 win over Sevilla. It was a dominant display from Manuel Pellegrini’s men, and they will be hoping to create an upset against Barcelona on Saturday. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
The home team remain without the services of Dani Olmo, Marc Casado, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal will undergo a late fitness test.
Against Real Betis Barcelona will continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde should continue as the full-backs. While Ronald Araujo is pushing for a place in the starting XI, he might have to settle for a place on the bench, given the form of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez.
As for the midfield unit, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to ensure they dominate the ball and control the tempo of the game. Gavi will be the attacking midfielder, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha likely to continue on the flanks. Robert Lewandowski should spearhead the Barcelona attack against Real Betis.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigp Martinez, Balde; de Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Real Betis
Marc Roca is a doubt for this away fixture, while former Real Madrid star Isco is suspended following a milestone yellow last time out. With Isco unavailable, Manuel Pellegrini will be forced to make a change to the XI that started in their last outing.
Real Betis will once again line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Adrian will be in goal. Youssouf Sabaly and Ricardo Rodriguez should feature as the full-backs, while Marc Bartra should pair up with Diego Llorente at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Johnny Cardoso and Pablo Fornals should form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will be looking to shield the backline and provide a strong base to their forwards.
Antony, who has been on fire since joining Real Betis on loan from Manchester United, will continue on the right flank, while Jesus Rodriguez will feature on the left. Giovani Lo Celso will replace Isco in the XI. Meanwhile, Cucho Hernandez will lead the line for the away team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Llorente, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Lo Celso, J Rodriguez; Hernandez
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won each of their last seven matches across competitions.
- Real Betis have claimed all three points in their last six league outings.
- Betis managed to hold Barcelona to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in Seville earlier this season.
- But the Catalan giants smashed Manuel Pellegrini’s men 5-1 during the Copa del Rey round of 16 meeting in January.
- Hansi Flick’s team last lost to Betis at home back in Decemeber 2021.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
The veteran Polish striker is still one of the best forwards in the world, and he has been a consistent performer for Flick’s team since the start of the season. At the age of 36, he has 38 goals and three assists in his 43 outings. With nine goals in his last nine La Liga games, Lewandowski will aim to extend his impressive scoring streak.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-1 Real Betis
Real Betis were successful in securing a draw during the reverse fixture, and they are on an impressive six-match winning streak heading into this game. However, the Verdiblancos still might not have enough in their tank to go past a high-flying Barcelona outfit that has won each of their last seven fixtures across competitions. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the home team.
